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CPD Scheme changes for 2012 |
The Solicitors (Continuing Professional Development) Regulations 2009 came into operation on 1 January 2010. With effect from January 2012, there are changes to the categories of CPD and solicitors are advised to familiarise themselves in relation to same.
The annual requirement for the 2012 CPD cycle (1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012) is 13 hours CPD. Of these 13 hours, a minimum of three hours must comprise Management and Professional Development Skills, and at least one hour must comprise Regulatory Matters.
Changes to the CPD categories
With effect from January 2012, the category of 'Regulatory Matters’ will be broadened to include both 'Professional Ethics’ and 'Risk Management Training’. This will allow for more varied yearly CPD training for solicitors.
As training in Professional Ethics also falls within the category of 'Management and Professional Development Skills', solicitors may now claim such training as part of their minimum CPD requirement of either CPD category, Management and Professional Development Skills and/or Regulatory Matters.
For the purposes of CPD, Risk Management Training covers education/training relating to file management, client management and practice management.